Wringer mop



Oct. 22, 1935.l J, L, NlLSON 2,018,413

WRINGER MOP Filed May 17, 1955 2 shets-sheet 1 Oct. 22, Y1935. J NILSON 2,018,413

WRINGER MOP Filed May 17, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 if@ ZZ i n I 40 *l/ I l! 70 Y i!! 'r l Patented Oct. 22, 1935 PATENT OFFICE WRINGER MOP John L. Nilson, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 17V,

8 Claims.

My invention relates to the twist wringing type of mop in which I provide a compensating spring actuated torque arm structure and a selector ratchet mechanism in which the pawl rather than the ratchet is the rotor so that the pawl, which is nearest the operators iingers is more accessible for operation.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide a structure wherein the wringing mechanism when released from closed position springs upwardly toward the hand of a user, and remains there during the wringing operation;

To create a structure wherein the force is greater toward the open position of the wringing mechanism (which is the point of greatest use) than it is toward the closed position thereof where spring force is not desired, so as to, therefore, give greater ease to the user in closing the wringing mechanism;

To create a compensating spring actuated torque arm structure to counteract the combined weight of the movable parts of the wringer mop;

To provide a selector in combination with a ratchetv mechanism whereby the operator with his nger tips may at any time control the engagement or release of the pawl. Heretofore in ratchet mechanism it has been necessary for the operator to both relieve the tension on the pawl simultaneously with disengaging the pawl, a task that was extremely diflicult, if not impossible for vthe average operator. With my invention the selector automatically disengages the pawl so that the operator need only direct his efforts and attention toward relieving the tension of the pawl by the same directional movement of the handle of the wringing mechanism;

To create a ratchet mechanism in wringer mops in which the working parts are not exposed to physical destruction or cause injury to person or property by contact therewith;

To supply a locking means for holding the wringing mechanism in closed position to the handle of my wringer mop;

And such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings preferred embodiments of my invention yet I wish it understood that the same are susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of my device; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view in wringing position; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view in closed. or

1935, Serial No. 22,084

mopping position; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of my ratchet member in combination with the selector; Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 4 showing the selector in raised position so that the pawl is in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 5 plate; Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view on line --G of Fig. 4; Fig. 'l is a perspective view of the selector; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the revolving reciprocating pawl.

My wringer mop comprises a handle I0, a coml0 pensating spring actuated torque arm structure II, a wringing mechanism I2, a swab holder I3 connected to the bottom of the handle I0 and a swab I4 extending between the swab holder I3 and the wringing mechanism I2.

Referring more particularly to my compensating spring actuated torque arm structure II, it comprises a torque arm I5 pivotally mountedk at 20 through the handle I0 and bent at I 5 substantially at right angles and transverse to the axis 20 of the handle to form a bearing I6 for a U shaped member Il of the wringing mechanism I2. A push rod I 8 is slidably and pivotally mounted through a center pin I9 in the handle I5. Said center pin I9 is pivotally mounted through the 25 handle I0 and is offset from the pivot point 20 of the torque arm I5. The other end of the push rod I8 is pivotally mounted to the end of the bent-over portion I6 of the torque arm I5 to form a stop ZI for the U shaped member I1 of 80 the wringing mechanism I2. 'I'he push rod I8 on one end slides through center pin I9. A spring 22 is mounted on said push rod I3 and is interposed between center pin I9 and a stop member 23 on push rod I8 so that as the -push 85 rod I8 is carried downwardly toward the closed position of the wringer mop the spring compresses between the center pin I9 and the stop member 23 until the approximate dead center of the pivot centers is reached where the effect of the spring 0 action'is neutralized and vice versa, so that the spring force is most effective when the wringer mop is in open wringing position.

Referring more particularly to the wringing mechanism I2, I employ a U shaped member I1 5 which is supported on the bearing I6 of the torque arm I5 and also acts as a bearing for the twisting shaft 24, which passes transversely through the U shaped member I1 in such a way as to hold the assembly in place. A ratchet plate 50 25 is attached to the U shaped member Il by dogs, lugs or the like 26 and follows the movement of the U shaped member I'I when the U shaped member pivots. on the torque arm I5. The ratchet plate 25 has a plurality of recesses 55 supported by both sides 33 and 34 of a casing 35 which is a substantially U shaped member and functions to protect the mechanism which it covers. A Vbent portion 36 of the twisting Vshaft 24 acts as a driving dog for carrying the casing with the shaft as theY shaft is twisted. The U shaped casing 35 is held closed and in fixed posihandle lo and the push rod I8.

tion on the twisting shaft 24 by'two rivets 31 and 38, both of said rivets passing through said casing and Yone rivet Y31 placed in substantially the center of the cavity formed by the bent portion` 3,5 of the twisting shaft 24 and the other rivet 3S placed on the opposite side of the twisting shaft 24 somewhat closer to the upper end of the casing 35 in cooperation with the hole 39 formed in the bottom part of the U shaped casing 35 where the twisting shaft. passes through forming a three pointcontact.Y This structure is Vparticularly designed to obviate, the necessity of any direct connection through the twisting shaft and thus prevents the weakening of the same. A Vstop member 41 is mounted on the twisting shaft 24 below said U shaped member I'I for retaining said U shaped member I1 against the ratchet plate 25, and the'ratchet plate 25 in turn against the Ycasing 35..

When my wringer mop is in closed position for .operation the torque arm I5 and the push rod I8 40m lieV substantially parallel on the handle I0. Likewise the wringing mechanism I2 with the twisting Yshaft 24 and an extension therefrom forming a handle 40 lie on top of the torque arm I5, the Y In `order to hold these parts in fixed position I insert a hook member 4l in the handle l0 and pivoted to the same at such a positionrthat the hook member 4I when moved downwardly bygravity engages the handle 40 of the twisting shaft 24 and holds the entire structure in closed fixed position.

V Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. A wringer mop comprisingV an elongated handle, a swab, means for holding the swab at one end adjacent the endof said handle, a torque arm pivotedtransverselyl to said handle to swing toward and away from said handle, `a retaining rod pivotally connected at its outer end to the outer end of said torque arm, and at its inner end slidably and pivotally mounted to said elongated handle at a point offset from theV pivot point of said torque arm for holding the wringer mop in wringing position, Va U shaped member, said torque arm having a bent over portion substantially at a right angle and transverse to the axis of said handle, said bent over portion lying within the closed end `of and forming a bearing for said U shaped member, said retaining rod where its outer Yend is pivotally connected to the outer lend of the bent over portion of the torque arm adapted to act as a stop member'to prevent lateral Vdisplacement of saidY U shaped member,

Ya twisting shaft having means. atl its lower end for hol-ding the other end of said swab, said twisting shaft passing transversely with respectV to said bent over portion of said torque arm through both legs of said U shaped member to prevent vertical displacementof said U shaped member, said U shaped member also acting as a bearing surface for said twisting shaft, a ratchet plate attached to one face of said U shaped member, said ratchet plate having an opening with inwardly directed ratchet projections and a pawl .attached to said twisting shaft for engaging theV projection on saidV ratchet plate.

2. In a wringer mop, a compensating spring actuated torque .arm construction comprising an elongated handle, a torque Varm pivoted trans- Versely to said handle toswing toward and away from said handle, a push rod pivotally connected at its outer end to the outer end of said torque arm, and at its inner end slidably and pivotally mounted to said elongated handle at a point-01I- set from the pivot point of said torque arm, and a compression spring mounted on said push rod for springing the wringer mop to and retaining it in wringing position.

3. In a wringer mop, a torque arm construction K comprising an elongated handle, a torque arm pivoted Vtransversely to said handle to swingV toward and away from said handle .and a spring 25;

attached to said torque arm at one end and to the handle at its other `end for springing the wringer mop to and retaining it in wringing position.

4. In a wringer mop, a compensating spring 30j in said handle at Varpoint oiset from the pivot point of said torque arm, a push rod slidably mounted through said center pin, and pivotally connected Vat its outer end Yto the outer end of said torque arm, said push rod having a stop portion, .and a spring mounted on said rod and compressible between said center pin and said stop portion for springing the wringer mop to and retaining it in wringing position. a

5. In a wringer mop, a torque arm construction for retaining the wringer mop in wringing position, comprising an elongated handle, a torque arm pivoted transversely to saidhandle to swing toward .and away fromv said handle, and a.k retaining rod pivotally connected at its outer end to the outer end ofsaid torque arm and at its inner end slidably and pivotally mounted tosaid handle at a point offset Yfrom the pivot pointof said torque arm.

6. In a wringer mop, .a wringing mechanism for twisting a swab, comprising a U shaped bearuit;

ing, a twisting shaftV passing through both legs Y of said U shaped bearing, a ratchet plate mounted on one face of said U shaped bearing, said ratchet plate having an opening with inwardly directed ratchet projections, a casing secured against rotation on said twisting shaft, a pawl pivotally mounted within said casing to rotate with said twisting shaft and passing through the lower end of Vsaidcasing for engagement with the projections on said ratchet plate, a selector slidably mounted between said twisting shaft and saidl pawl within said casing and a spring mounted on one side of the selector for actuating said pawl so that Aas the selector is moved and the end of said spring passesV the pivot point ofr the pawl, engagement or disengagement of the pawl on the projections of the ratchet plate takes place.

'1. In a wringer mop, a wringing mechanism for twisting a swab, comprising a U shaped bearing,

a twisting shaft passing through both legs ofsaid U shaped bearing, a ratchet plate mounted on one face of said U shaped bearing, said ratchet plate having an opening with inwardly directed ratchet projections, a casing secured ,against rotation on said twisting shaft, a pawl pivotally mounted Within said casing to rotate with said twisting shaft and passing through the lower end oi said casing for engagement with the projections on said ratchet plate, a selector slidably mounted between said twisting shaft and said pawl within said casing and a spring mounted on one side of the selector for actuating said pawl so that as the selector is moved and the end of said spring passes the pivot point of the pawl, engagement or disengagement of the pawl on the projections of the ratchet plate takes place, and a stop member mounted on said shaft below said U shaped bearing for retaining the U shaped bearing against the ratchet plate and the ratchet plate in turn against the casing.

' 8. In a. wringer mop, a wringing mechanism for twisting a swab comprising a twisting shaft, a ratchet mechanism for holding the twisting shaft at certain stages of the wringing operation,

said ratchet mechanism having a reciprocating, 5

revolving pawl mounted to rotate with said twisting shaft, and a ratchet plate having a plurality of recesses for engagement by said pawl, said twisting shaft passing through an opening in said ratchet plate and a manually operable selector 10 non-rotatably and slidably mounted on the twisting shaft, and a spring xed to said selector so that upon a longitudinal movement of said selector and upon pressure then being .applied to the twisting shaft in the same directional movement 15 of the wringing operation said spring pushes said pawl out of engagement with the recesses of said ratchet plate and the twisting shaft is released from a held position.

JOHN L. NrLsoN. 20 

